Short contract and Deposit

[JStrattonPhotography]

I am starting to schedule many more family portraiture sessions and several of them would like to send a deposit and lock in a date. Does anyone have a quick contract outlining basic information for the shoot? I have a client release I have them sign AT the shoot. Would a receipt of payment and mailing the client release suffice? What do you do?

[HotHolly]

We use a contract. They usually sign it at the shoot. If its something bigger, they sign it before hand (like a wedding or $2K portrait package). I take the deposit over the phone, I tell them our deposit policy (no refunds, transferable to another date if 24 hours notice is given, etc), then I run their credit card over the phone and mail them the receipt which states the same thing along with directions about what to expect at their shoot. If its a wedding, the contract is signed when the deposit is given.

[ggeen]

I recommend the following books:

Business and Legal forms for Photographers (comes with CD)

Legal Handbook for Photographers

The Business and Legal Forms book is coming out in 4th edition soon. It all contracts and forms. It explains each part and recommends where you should not bend too much. The book comes with a CD so that you can open and modify the documents in your favorite word processor.

The Legal Handbook is about about explaining copyrights, licensing, etc.